Disability charity apologises after their van blocks pavement

A DISABILITY charity has apologised after one of its vans was photographed completely blocking a city pavement.

An angry pedestrian snapped the Capability Scotland vehicle taking up both the walkway and one half of the road in Morningside, Edinburgh.

Branded with the line ‘Here for disabled people. Collecting stock, creating smiles’, the van was believed to be making a delivery on Tuesday lunchtime to the charity’s store located just around the corner.

A driver and his colleague were spotted reversing over the pavement and parking to the side of the main entrance in a bid to gain closer access to a side entry door.

The embarrassing image emerged on the same day it was announced today that tougher laws could be put in place to punish motorists who obstruct pavements.

The van was taking up most of the pavement

Ironically, Capability Scotland is a member of the Responsible Parking Alliance – a group of 20 major charities that supports the Footway Parking and Double Parking (Scotland) Bill.

An Edinburgh man, known only as Chris, sent the image to Scotland’s Worst Drivers (SWD).

He said: “I was a bit surprised to find a van blocking the whole wide pavement – I had to walk on the road to get past.

“Extra ‘shocking’ to find it belonged to a charity for disabled people.”

A spokesperson for SWD said: “I think the fact the driver parked the vehicle in this way shows a lack of morals.

“Does he not realise that he is driving for disability charity and he is potentially causing problems for the very people they exist to help?

“Even if they were making a delivery they still should not have parked like this.

“Constant pavement parking in this manner damages the surface and can cause serious safety issues for pedestrians.”

A spokeswoman from the Edinburgh based charity said yesterday they were “deeply disappointed” to see the images.

She added: “We take the issue of accessibility extremely seriously and such inconsiderate parking is completely unacceptable.

“We wholeheartedly apologise for any inconvenience caused and will endeavour to ensure it does not happen again.”

“We encourage staff to live and breathe our ethos and values and these will be reinforced with our staff member.”

It was only revealed today (THUR) that MSP’s could be given the power to tackle pavement parking under the Scotland Bill.

The measure would make it illegal for vehicles to obstruct pavements and dropped kerbs and would also restrict double parking on public roads.

The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee said the ban would be a “positive step” to help disabled people and young families.